An exotic escape

A trip to the Korean King Spa and Sauna puts visitors in another world — in Niles

July 08, 2010|By Monica Eng, Tribune reporter

On the way out of the locker room I see women getting a treatment called the "wormwood steam hip baths," some sort of herbal steam treatment that comes out of a commodelike basin. It's a mystery I'll solve on my next visit.

King Spa and Sauna, 809 Civic Center Drive, Niles, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; 847-972-2540; kingspa.com

Know before you go

Do arrive early on weekday mornings if you want some solitude.

Do take a shower — and use the house shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap — before using the facilities.

Do ask for a private shower facility, change into spa clothes and use the coed facilities if group nudity puts you off.

Do check out the different saunas to see which ones help soothe what ails you.